Ever caught a whiff of something suspicious on your couch and thought, ‘Surely that wasn’t there yesterday?’ Pet odours love settling into upholstery like they’ve signed a long-term lease, and once they’re in, they’re not exactly polite about it.
But getting on top of those smells doesn’t have to feel like a full-scale battle. Let’s dive in and tackle those sneaky smells before they make themselves too comfortable.
Vacuum the Area
Before you reach for sprays, powders, or whatever mystery cleaner is lurking at the back of the cupboard, the best way to start is with a proper vacuum.
A model with a pet attachment works absolutely wonders here. Hit every crevice and corner where fur loves to lurk. These spots are odour magnets that’ll keep your place smelling off if you don’t deal with them now.
Do this once a week and you’ll notice your couch not only smells better but looks fresher too. It’s low effort, high payoff, and sets you up beautifully for the next steps.
Whip Up a DIY Spray
Once you’ve cleared away the loose fur and fluff, the next step is giving your couch something a little more refreshing than a vacuum.
Luckily, you don’t need anything fancy here—just a quick DIY spray that takes all of thirty seconds to make and works far better than you’d expect.
Start by grabbing a spray bottle and filling it with equal parts water and white vinegar. If you’re worried the acidic smell will take over the room, don’t stress; a few drops of your favourite essential oil will mellow it right out and leave everything smelling pleasant.
When you’re ready, give your fabric a gentle mist. And remember, too much moisture can invite mould, and that’s a whole new problem you definitely don’t need. A light spritz is all it takes to neutralise the lingering smells that didn’t budge during vacuuming.
Try Baking Soda
This kitchen staple is brilliant for freshening up smelly furniture. Sprinkle it generously over the odd-smelling bits and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
For really stubborn odours, like where your pet likes to crash regularly, leave it longer so it properly soaks them all up.
Once it’s done its thing, vacuum everything up thoroughly and use that pet attachment again to make sure you get every last bit.
Baking soda is safe for any furniture type and won’t harm you or your furry friends. Whether it’s fabric or leather, it’s gentle yet surprisingly effective at tackling even the worst odours.
Use Enzyme-Based Cleaners
If you’ve made it this far and there’s still a suspicious odour hanging around, it’s probably time to bring in the big guns: enzyme-based cleaners. These clever products break down the actual source of the odour rather than just masking it.
Most enzyme cleaners are easy to use. Just follow the instructions on the bottle, give the affected spot a generous spray, and let it soak in so it can reach the deeper layers of the fabric.
It’s always a good idea to test the cleaner on a hidden patch first, just to make sure your upholstery won’t react in some strange way.
Then, you can use it confidently in the areas where your pet spends most of their time, like that one cushion they always claim or the couch they think you bought just for them.
Protect Everything with Washable Covers
If you want to stay ahead of the game, chuck some washable covers or throws over your furniture and rugs. They will block spills, hair, and other messes from reaching your actual upholstery.
Go for tough fabrics like microfibre or denim that can handle any messes left by your pets.
Washing these covers every couple of weeks will keep them doing their job properly. It’s way less hassle than deep cleaning your actual furniture constantly. Plus, your furniture will last ages longer with this simple hack.
Keep Your Pets Well-Groomed
Another easy way to stay ahead of pet odours is simply keeping your furry friend well-groomed. When loose fur and dander aren’t floating around or settling onto your couch, there’s far less chance for smells to stick around.
To do this, find the right grooming tools for your pet’s coat. A slicker brush is brilliant for long-haired breeds, easing out tangles before they become knots you both end up resenting. Short-haired pets usually do best with a bristle brush that keeps their coat smooth and shiny.
And for the in-between times, a quick wipe with a damp cloth works surprisingly well at freshening them up without the hassle of a full bath.
How often you should brush your pet depends on the breed. You should brush long-haired pets daily, while shorter coats generally only need a weekly once-over.
Deal with Accidents Straight Away
Even with the best grooming routine and all the protective covers in the world, accidents still happen, usually at the most inconvenient moment possible. The good news is that a quick response makes all the difference.
If it’s a liquid mess, grab some paper towels or an old cloth and gently blot the area. Work from the outside in so you don’t spread anything further across the fabric.
And whatever you do, resist the urge to scrub. Rubbing will just push everything deeper into the upholstery, and that’s exactly what you’re trying to avoid.
For solid messes, scoop up what you can first, then treat the spot while it’s still fresh. Whether you prefer your vinegar spray, a sprinkle of baking soda, or an enzyme cleaner for the tougher situations, the sooner you get to it, the less chance the smell has to dig itself in.
And if you’ve done all the right things and the odour still keeps popping back like an unwelcome guest, you can always call in an upholstery cleaning service.
They’ve got specialised tools and commercial-grade products that can reach deep into fabrics, which is especially handy if your pet has a favourite disaster spot.
Purify and Ventilate
After tackling the messes and freshening up the furniture, the final piece of the puzzle is making sure your home has decent airflow.
So, open your windows whenever you can. A bit of cross-ventilation works wonders, especially after you’ve cleaned or dealt with an accident.
If you want to take it a step further, consider adding an air purifier with a HEPA filter to your setup. They’re great at capturing pet dander and any lingering odours before they have a chance to settle on your furniture.
You can also set out natural odour absorbers around the room for extra support. Small bowls of activated charcoal or even coffee grounds quietly soak up lingering smells. Just don’t forget to swap them out every few weeks so they keep doing their job.
Conclusion
You’re now in a great spot to keep your furniture smelling fresh, no matter how determined your pet is to ‘personalise’ it. So, take the reins and give everything a quick once-over when you can.
And the next time your pet sprawls across the couch like royalty, you can smile knowing the throne is clean because of you.
